Tuesday, January 8, 2013

More on a new system for Ontario

Yesterday’s blog generated a lot of commentary, much of it
from curlers who have been part of the playdown process.

A couple of points that should be brought up:

First, I don’t think we should eliminate the traditional playdown process
where a team can sign up at their club and make it all the way to the
provincial finals. Rather, I think we should just a) add to that process and b)
modify it somewhat.

Second, another part of the argument that hasn’t been brought up is
the time and cost of all these playdowns. With 16 zone playdowns, you need 16
clubs to donate ice which means icemaker’s time and, in some cases, club staff,
i.e. bar staff, club managers. (True increased bar sales can be a benefit from
this as well.) There is also the need for volunteer officials to oversee all
these events. It's a significant undertaking for not much return.

Several emails asked to see the modified proposal in the
Ontario Curling Report. It is as follows:

eliminate zone playdowns as they are a waste of time, money
and don’t draw enough teams to make it worthwhile;

instead, have
four regional triple knockout bonspiels, each delivering two teams to the
provincial finals. Based on this year’s zone entries, each of these would have
somewhere between 24 and 30 entries;

The leading money winner on the OCT would get a spot;

The leading Ontario team not otherwise qualified on the CTRS
would get a spot;